Onyinye Anene-Nzelu

Onyinye is a versatile energy market professional with over a decade of experience in energy management. She is the Head of Mini-Grids at ENGIE Energy Access Nigeria, a leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) and mini-grids solutions provider in Nigeria, with a mission to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions and life-changing services with exceptional customer experience. In her role, she drives ENGIE Energy Access Nigeria’s mini-grid agenda in Nigeria – building a high-performing team that is electrifying rural communities through reliable, clean renewable energy. She recently led the EEA Nigerian Deal Team to sign a USD 60m mini-grid project finance transaction, the largest project finance deal for mini-grids in Africa. She is knowledgeable in renewable energy systems, energy management, project finance and electricity tariff modelling. Onyinye has been awarded for her excellence and resilience by several international organisations. In 2023, she won the inaugural LUCE Awards, Emerging Talents Category, awarded by the Florence School of Regulation, Italy. In 2020, she was named the Sub-Saharan African Young Energy Professional of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers, USA. She is the first female Certified Energy Manager (CEM) in Nigeria. She is an Alumnus of the Enel Foundation, Open Africa Power Programme and the YALI Young Women in African Power.

Onyinye has worked in multiple organisations within the energy industry including Sahara Group, Ikeja Electric and Energy Markets and Regulatory Consultants (EMRC) and is a training facilitator, where she trains on all topics related to the power sector in Africa. She is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and Nnamdi Azikiwe University with executive training from the Florence School of Regulation, Italy, The University of South Africa Graduate Business School and the National Power Training Institute, Nigeria. She also holds an expert certification in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. She is a Registered Engineer in Nigeria and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Association of Energy Engineers, USA. Onyinye volunteers as a mentor for the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition and the Teens Teacher at The Covenant Nation.